[Exclusive Interview]: TNX Dishes On Latest Comeback, Distinctive Charm, and More

Photo: P NATION

For their second release of the year, TNX came back today with the digital single “Die Another Day.” The last time we heard from members TAE HUN, HYUN SOO, JUNHYEOK, HWI, and SUNG JUN was back in January with their second digital single “Call Me Back.” Before releasing their new track, the five members sat down with The Kraze to discuss the latest comeback preparations, musical inspirations, distinctive charm, and more. Check it out below!

Q: For our readers who are getting the chance to know you for the first time, can you please give a little introduction about yourself?

TAE HUN: Hi! I’m TAE HUN, the oldest member of TNX, and I love to dance. I’m always working to be a leader who has a positive influence on the team.

HYUN SOO: Hi! I’m HYUN SOO. I sing with a soft, distinctive tone that I hope adds something special to TNX’s music.

JUN HYEOK: Hi! I’m JUN HYEOK, TNX’s main vocalist. I think my strengths are my distinctive voice and the way I bring my own emotions into a song. On stage, I’d say my range of expressions and intense gaze are also part of my charm!

HWI: Hi! I’m HWI of TNX. I’m the group’s rapper, and I also take part in making our music. I’m always working to create music with a sound and identity that feel uniquely my own.

SUNG JUN: Hi! I’m SUNG JUN, the youngest member of TNX. I’d say my strengths are my distinctive vocal tone and powerful performance style.

Q: How does this comeback differ from the last release?

TH: We work hard for every comeback, but we put even more into this one. As time went on, we channeled the sense of urgency we were feeling into practicing even harder and preparing ourselves for this comeback.

HS: This time, we wanted to show a more mature side of TNX. Through the music and performance, we tried to naturally show how much we’ve grown and changed.

JH: “Die Another Day” has a different kind of intensity from our previous releases, “For Real?” and “CALL ME BACK.” It also has a sense of wildness and masculinity that we haven’t shown before, so I think fans will get to see a new side of TNX!

H: Our last comeback had a bright, refreshing, youthful energy, but this time the song tells a much more serious and darker story from within. Because of that, we approached this comeback with a more serious and focused mindset.

SJ: I think the biggest difference is the concept. Our last comeback was about TNX’s youth and freedom, expressed through bright, lively energy. This time, we’re showing our determination and sincerity in a darker, more intense atmosphere. Since the mood of the song is so different, I think you’ll also see a different attitude from us on stage.

Q: What can fans anticipate heading into the new era?

TH: For this comeback, we’re taking on a darker concept that we’ve never shown before. It’s a completely different side of TNX, so I hope you’ll look forward to it.

HS: This time, we want to show a more mature side of ourselves, along with sides of TNX that fans haven’t seen before. I hope fans will look forward to seeing a new mood and a different side of TNX.

JH: With this comeback, you’ll get to see TNX’s own take on a sexy, masculine concept! We’re bringing a completely different mood and kind of appeal this time, so please look forward to it.

H: I think the styling will be one of the highlights of this comeback because it’s very different from anything we’ve done before. We’re making a lot of changes to our overall look, so I hope you’ll look forward to seeing a new side of us.

SJ: Since this is a concept that even our fans haven’t seen from us before, I hope you’ll look forward to seeing a wider range of expressions and sides of TNX, as well as a different kind of emotional delivery in our music.

Q: What is your “signature style/sound ” that makes you stand out from other artists?

TH: I think TNX’s signature is the way our youthful energy brings together both bright and dark sides. We can go from something bright and free-spirited to something intense and darker while still making it feel like TNX. I think that versatility is part of what makes us unique.

HS: I think part of our identity is that every album brings a new sound and image. Rather than staying in one style, we keep challenging ourselves with something new while still making it feel unmistakably like TNX. I think that’s become part of our signature.

JH: I think TNX has a lot of great songs in different styles, so there’s something to choose from for every mood. You can hear different sides of us not only in our title tracks but also in our B-sides, so I’d say our B-sides are a bit of a hidden gem!

H: In TNX songs, we tend not to split the song into lots of short parts. Instead, each member often gets a longer section to really lead and make their own. I think that gives each of us more room to show our voice and individuality, and it feels more compelling from an artist’s perspective. Giving every member enough space to fully show who they are is one of the things that makes TNX distinct.

SJ: I think our signature is that we can take very different concepts—whether powerful or refreshing—and still make them feel like TNX. No matter what genre or concept we try, we bring our own energy and character to it, and I think that’s one of our biggest strengths.

Q: What do you want to accomplish in the next five years?

TH: I would really love to perform at the MAMA Awards at least once.

HS: My goal is for more people to know the name TNX and for our songs to make it onto the music charts.

JH: My goals are to chart on Melon, win first place on a music show, hold our own TNX concert, and perform at a year-end awards show.

H: I want to make a song that people will recognize as a real hit.

SJ: Since our debut, one of my biggest goals has been to win first place on a music show, and I really want to make that happen.

Q: While preparing for your latest album, what has been your favorite part of the process?

TH: We prepared for this comeback so intensely that the closer it got, the more excited I became about finally showing our fans the performance.

HS: The most enjoyable part was thinking about finally getting to show our fans the song and performance. Even while we were preparing, I had a lot of fun imagining how they would react.

JH: The most memorable part was staying up late every day practicing our live vocals and performance together. It was definitely exhausting at times, but it brought us even closer as a team and became a really fun, meaningful memory.

H: Preparing for this album definitely wasn’t easy, but if I had to pick one thing, I’d say working out together with all the members was probably the most fun.

SJ: The most enjoyable part for me was learning the choreography for the first time. I was excited to learn something new, and I kept thinking our fans would really like it, which made the process even more fun.

Q: What is your favorite song to perform and why?

TH: “What If” is my favorite. Every time we perform it, it brings back the emotions I felt while recording the song and preparing the album, which makes it especially meaningful to me.

HS: My favorite is “CALL ME BACK” because it’s the song I have the most fun performing on stage.

JH: My favorite is our B-side “What If.” I just love the song itself, and it’s also alternative rock, which is a genre I really like, so it’s one of my favorite songs to perform.

H: My favorite is “CALL ME BACK,” our previous comeback track. We performed it at a lot of university festivals, and jumping around and having fun with the crowd gave me so many great memories connected to the song.

SJ: My favorite is “CALL ME BACK.” It’s a song where we can really let loose and have fun on stage. We’ve performed it as an encore before too, and I have such fun memories of that, which makes me love it even more.

Q: What do you think is TNX’s distinct charm? 

TH: I think TNX is a group where each member’s individuality really stands out. We all have different strengths and personalities, and the way those differences come together to create something uniquely TNX is one of our biggest charms.

HS: I think one of TNX’s biggest strengths is that we can show a new side of ourselves with every album. The title tracks and B-sides all have their own appeal, so I hope listeners enjoy the variety in our music.

JH: I think one of our biggest strengths is that every member has a very distinct personality, style, and character, which lets us show a lot of different sides. More than anything, I think the music and performances that carry TNX’s own vibe and style are what really set us apart.

H: I think one of TNX’s unique charms is how relaxed and natural we are off stage—we’re almost like ordinary students. It’s a complete contrast to how we are on stage, and I think that unexpected difference is part of our appeal.

SJ: I think TNX’s strength is that we don’t limit ourselves to one genre. With every comeback, we try new music and take on new challenges, and we’re always working to show more sides of ourselves and keep growing.

Q: What artists were your inspiration for getting into music?

TH: For me, it’s Bruno Mars. I’ve drawn a lot of inspiration from his performances, and he had a big influence on me when I first started pursuing music.

HS: These days, my favorite artist is DIMO REX. I learn a lot from his music, and it gives me a lot of inspiration too.

JH: For me, it’s BIGBANG. They’re the reason I first dreamed of becoming an idol, and they’ve had a huge influence on both my music and how I perform on stage.

H: When I was younger, I watched BIGBANG TV and 2NE1 TV, and that was my first real glimpse into how music is made and the different sides artists show throughout that process. So I’d say BIGBANG and 2NE1 had the biggest influence on me when I first started pursuing music.

SJ: My parents played a lot of Justin Bieber’s music for me from a very young age. That naturally got me interested in singing, and it was also when I started to realize that I might have a talent for it.

Q: What song or album have you been listening to lately that you can recommend to fans? 

TH: I’ve been listening to Block B a lot lately, and I especially want to recommend “MOVIE’S OVER.” There’s something about the song that always feels comforting to me.

HS: I’d recommend DIMO REX’s “T.T.T (TATTOO TOGETHER).” I’ve been listening to it a lot lately, so it’s definitely a song I’d love our fans to check out too.

JH: I’d like to recommend TNX’s For Real? album. It’s full of great songs, from the title track to the B-sides, and because we were involved in self-producing the album throughout, I think it really lets you hear and feel TNX’s own musical identity.

H: I’d like to recommend TAEYANG’s QUINTESSENCE. It’s the album I’ve been listening to the most lately.

SJ: Lately, I’ve been listening to Justin Bieber’s Journals from start to finish pretty often. It has so many great songs, so I’d definitely recommend it to our fans.

Q: What is something that you cannot leave the house without? 

TH: I always make sure to bring my phone, wallet, and lip balm with me.

HS: I always make sure I have my wallet with me when I go out.

JH: I always bring perfume with me. Scent is really important to me, and wearing perfume gives me an extra boost of confidence!

H: I always bring my wallet and lip balm with me. I really can’t stand having dry lips, so lip balm is a must for me.

SJ: I always make sure to bring my earphones when I go out. I love listening to music so much that if I forget them at home, I’ll actually turn around and go back for them.

Q: Last question, is there anything specific you’d like to share with your fans and our readers?

TH: To our THX and all the readers, this comeback feels especially meaningful because we approached it with a different mindset than before. I’m really excited, but at the same time, it still hasn’t fully sunk in yet. I hope you’ll love it, so please look forward to what we have in store!

HS: Please keep showing TNX lots of love and interest, and I hope you’ll listen to our music a lot too. We’d really appreciate all your support.

JH: THX, thank you so much for always loving us, supporting us, and waiting for us. I love you all so much! And to all the readers, TNX has so many great songs, and the more you get to know us, the more there is to love. Please keep an eye on us and follow our journey!

H: We worked really hard to show a new side of TNX with this comeback. We’re coming back with a great song and performance, so I hope you’ll give us lots of love and support.

SJ: I’m so happy and excited to be coming back with a completely new side of TNX. You’ve waited for us, so we want to return that love with even better performances. We love you!

Thank you again to the members TNX and P NATION for taking the time to speak with us!